Sarah Avenson
South Saint Paul,MN
Summary
Dynamic Assistant Manager with a proven track record at Caribou Coffee, excelling in customer service and team leadership. Enhanced customer satisfaction through effective problem-solving and strategic inventory management, resulting in improved operational efficiency. Skilled in conflict resolution and employee supervision, fostering a collaborative work environment that drives sales growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Manager
Caribou Coffee
09.2023 - 12.2025
- Supervised daily operations to enhance team performance and customer satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored new staff on coffee preparation techniques and customer service protocols.
- Implemented inventory management practices to optimize stock levels and reduce waste.
- Developed scheduling strategies to ensure adequate coverage during peak hours.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations during food preparation and service.
- Collaborated with management on promotional initiatives to drive sales growth and brand awareness.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in service quality and product offerings.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
- Improved customer satisfaction by resolving complaints and inquiries promptly.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust inventory orders accordingly.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
Assistant Manager
Safelite Auto Glass
03.2021 - 09.2022
- Coordinated team meetings to align on goals, share best practices, and foster a positive work environment.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Facilitated clear communication between employees and upper management through regular meetings and updates.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the store.
- Led weekly team meetings to discuss goals and review performance, fostering culture of continuous improvement.
- Coordinated with vendors for timely inventory replenishment, ensuring product availability.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure better pricing, reducing operational costs.
- Engaged with customers to gather feedback, using insights to improve service and product offerings.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
Lead Specialist
Kohls Department Store
08.2006 - 06.2021
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance customer service initiatives and improve store operations.
- Frequently inspected production area to verify proper equipment operation.
- Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
- Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Established effective communication channels among team members to enhance collaboration and promote information sharing.
- Facilitated knowledge transfer between team members through regular meetings, training sessions, and documentation.
- Increased customer satisfaction levels by addressing concerns promptly, providing thorough resolutions, and maintaining open lines of communication.
- Streamlined processes through implementing best practices, resulting in improved workflow efficiency.
- Mentored junior specialists, providing guidance on customer engagement and problem resolution techniques.
- Collaborated with management to develop strategic plans that align with corporate objectives and enhance store performance.
- Oversaw visual merchandising standards, ensuring compliance with brand guidelines and maximizing product visibility.
- Facilitated communication between departments to optimize resource allocation and support team collaboration efforts.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and company policies through diligent monitoring and enforcement efforts.
- Observed packing operations to verify conformance to specifications.
Teller
Highland Bank
11.2002 - 01.2006
- Processed customer transactions efficiently and accurately, ensuring a smooth banking experience.
- Assisted customers with account inquiries, resolving issues promptly to enhance satisfaction.
- Maintained cash drawer integrity through diligent balancing and reconciliation practices.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline operations and improve service delivery times.
- Educated clients on banking products and services, fostering informed decision-making.
- Balanced cash drawer daily and resolved discrepancies to provide accurate data regarding cash flow.
- Disbursed cash and checks accurately while maintaining security of cash drawers.
- Balanced cash drawers daily, identifying discrepancies and taking corrective actions as needed.
- Processed customer transactions promptly, minimizing wait times.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere in the branch by greeting customers warmly upon arrival and addressing them by name when possible.
- Assisted customers with account inquiries, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
- Answered customer inquiries regarding account balances, transaction history, services charges, and interest rates.
- Managed high-volume transactions efficiently while maintaining attention to detail, ensuring accurate processing for customers.
- Maintained cash drawer accuracy by conducting regular audits and implementing effective cash handling practices.
- Developed strong relationships with customers through exceptional service, fostering loyalty and trust.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by demonstrating professionalism, courteousness, and a strong work ethic.
- Answered telephone inquiries on checking and savings accounts, loans, and lines of credit.
- Completed highly accurate, high-volume money counts via both manual and machine-driven approaches.
- Increased cross-selling opportunities by identifying customer needs and recommending appropriate banking products or services.
- Demonstrated adaptability during peak business hours by multitasking and prioritizing tasks to maintain efficiency and quality of service.
- Educated customers on use of banking website and mobile apps.
- Streamlined teller operations by maintaining organized workspaces and adhering to policies and procedures.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of bank products, services, promotions, policies, regulations to better assist customers with their financial needs.
- Served as primary point of contact for customers, providing assistance with account maintenance and transactions.
- Monitored and reported suspicious activity in line with bank security policies.
- Provided training to new tellers on bank procedures, systems, and customer service best practices.
- Handled complex transactions such as wire transfers or foreign currency exchanges with accuracy and efficiency.
- Identified sales opportunities and referred customers to branch partners in financial services.
Education
No Degree - Business Management
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MNHigh School Diploma -
Henry Sibley High School
West Saint Paul, MN06-2003
Skills
- Customer service
- Money handling
- Team leadership
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Customer relations
- Task delegation
- Goal setting
- Workload management
- Conflict resolution
- Retail operations,
- Customer rapport
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Policy enforcement
- Sales reporting
- Business administration
- Negotiation
- Product branding
- Multitasking and organization
- Team collaboration
- Strategic thinking
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Workplace safety compliance
- Employee supervision
Timeline
Assistant Manager
Caribou Coffee
09.2023 - 12.2025
Assistant Manager
Safelite Auto Glass
03.2021 - 09.2022
Lead Specialist
Kohls Department Store
08.2006 - 06.2021
Teller
Highland Bank
11.2002 - 01.2006
No Degree - Business Management
Inver Hills Community College
High School Diploma -
Henry Sibley High School